HOME
*





Eochaid Mac Eirc
In Irish mythology Eochaid (modern spelling: Eochaidh), son of Erc, son of Rinnal, of the Fir Bolg became High King of Ireland when he overthrew Fodbgen. He was the first king to establish a system of justice in Ireland. No rain fell during his reign, only dew, and there was a harvest every year. His wife was the Goddess Tailtiu. Eochaid named his capital after her (modern Teltown, County Meath) and held a festival there every August. He ruled for ten years, until the Fir Bolg were defeated by the Tuatha Dé Danann in the first Battle of Magh Tuiredh. During the fighting Eochaid was overcome by thirst, but the druids of the Tuatha Dé hid all sources of water from him with their magic. As he searched for water, he was found and killed by The Morrigan on the strand at Beltra Co. Sligo. According to tradition, he was buried under Eochy's Cairn. References * ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' * Annals of the Four Masters * Seathrún Céitinn Geoffrey Keating ( ga, Seathrún Céitinn; c ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Irish Mythology
Irish mythology is the body of myths native to the island of Ireland. It was originally passed down orally in the prehistoric era, being part of ancient Celtic religion. Many myths were later written down in the early medieval era by Christian scribes, who modified and Christianized them to some extent. This body of myths is the largest and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology. The tales and themes continued to be developed over time, and the oral tradition continued in Irish folklore alongside the written tradition, but the main themes and characters remained largely consistent. The myths are conventionally grouped into ' cycles'. The Mythological Cycle consists of tales and poems about the god-like Túatha Dé Danann, who are based on Ireland's pagan deities, and other mythical races like the Fomorians. Important works in the cycle are the ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' ("Book of Invasions"), a legendary history of Ireland, the ''Cath Maige Tuired'' ("Ba ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Druids
A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. While they were reported to have been literate, they are believed to have been prevented by doctrine from recording their knowledge in written form. Their beliefs and practices are attested in some detail by their contemporaries from other cultures, such as the Romans and the Greeks. The earliest known references to the druids date to the 4th century BCE. The oldest detailed description comes from Julius Caesar's ''Commentarii de Bello Gallico'' (50s BCE). They were described by other Roman writers such as Cicero, Cicero (44) I.XVI.90. Tacitus, and Pliny the Elder. Following the Roman invasion of Gaul, the druid orders were suppressed by the Roman government under the 1st-century CE emperors Tiberius and Claudius, and had disappeare ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Lebor Gabála Érenn
''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' (literally "The Book of the Taking of Ireland"), known in English as ''The Book of Invasions'', is a collection of poems and prose narratives in the Irish language intended to be a history of Ireland and the Irish from the creation of the world to the Middle Ages. There are a number of versions, the earliest of which was compiled by an anonymous writer in the 11th century. It synthesised narratives that had been developing over the foregoing centuries. The ''Lebor Gabála'' tells of Ireland being settled (or "taken") six times by six groups of people: the people of Cessair, the people of Partholón, the people of Nemed, the Fir Bolg, the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Milesians. The first four groups are wiped out or forced to abandon the island; the fifth group represent Ireland's pagan gods, while the final group represent the Irish people (the Gaels). The ''Lebor Gabála'' was highly influential and was largely "accepted as conventional history by poet ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Seathrún Céitinn
Geoffrey Keating ( ga, Seathrún Céitinn; c. 1569 – c. 1644) was a 17th-century historian. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and is buried in Tubrid Graveyard in the parish of Ballylooby-Duhill. He became an Irish Catholic priest and a poet. Biography It was generally believed until recently that Keating had been born in Burgess, County Tipperary; indeed, a monument to Keating was raised beside the bridge at Burgess, in 1990; but Diarmuid Ó Murchadha writes, In November 1603, he was one of forty students who sailed for Bordeaux under the charge of the Rev. Diarmaid MacCarthy to begin their studies at the Irish College which had just been founded in that city by Cardinal François de Sourdis, Archbishop of Bordeaux. On his arrival in France he wrote ''Farewell to Ireland'', and upon hearing of the Flight of the Earls wrote ''Lament on the Sad State of Ireland''. After obtaining the degree of Doctor of Divinity at the University of Bordeaux he returned about 1610 to I ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Annals Of The Four Masters
The ''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland'' ( ga, Annála Ríoghachta Éireann) or the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' (''Annála na gCeithre Máistrí'') are chronicles of medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Deluge, dated as 2,242 years after creation to AD 1616. Publication delay Due to the criticisms by 17th century Irish historian Tuileagna Ó Maol Chonaire, the text was not published in the lifetimes of any of the participants. Text The annals are mainly a compilation of earlier annals, although there is some original work. They were compiled between 1632 and 1636, allegedly in a cottage beside the ruins of Donegal Abbey, just outside Donegal Town. At this time, however, the Franciscans had a house of refuge by the River Drowes in County Leitrim, just outside Ballyshannon, and it was here, according to others, that the ''Annals'' were compiled.
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Bres
In Irish mythology, Bres (or Bress) was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is often referred to by the name Eochaid / Eochu Bres. He was an unpopular king, and favoured his Fomorian kin. Name ''Eochu Bres'' has been translated as "beautiful horseman." The scribes who wrote down the text of the Cath Maige Tuired record ''Bres'' as meaning 'beautiful', however, this may be a false etymology. The original meaning of ''Bres'' may have derived from a root meaning "fight," "blow," "effort," "uproar," or "din." Description In the ''Lebor Gabála'' and ''Cath Maige Tuired'', Bres is portrayed as beautiful to behold, yet harsh and inhospitable. However, the poem ''Carn Hui Neit'' from the ''dindsenchas'' praises Bres' "kindly" and "noble" character and calls him the "flower" of the Tuatha Dé Danann. There, the following flattering descriptions are provided for Bres: * gifted with excellences * master of love-spells * kindly friend * noble and fortunate * ornament of the host * with a v ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


List Of High Kings Of Ireland
Medieval Irish historical tradition held that Ireland had a High King (''Ard Rí'') based at Tara since ancient times, and compilations like the 11th-century ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'', followed by Early Modern works like the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' and ''Foras Feasa ar Éirinn'', purported to trace the line of High Kings. John T. Koch explains: "Although the kingship of Tara was a special kingship whose occupants had aspirations towards supremacy among the kings of Ireland, in political terms it is unlikely that any king had sufficient authority to dominate the whole island before the 9th century". Máel Sechnaill I is often considered the first historical High King, although he faced some opposition. Applying the title to earlier kings is considered anachronistic, while kings from before the 5th century are generally considered legendary. The traditional list of High Kings is thus a mixture of historical facts and legend. The annals describe some later High Kings as '' ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  




Eochy's Cairn
Eochy's Cairn is a cairn and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland. Location Eochy's Cairn is atop a hill northwest of The Neale. History Eochy's Cairn has never been excavated, but is believed to have been constructed in the Neolithic. According to tradition, it was the burial site of Eochaid mac Eirc In Irish mythology Eochaid (modern spelling: Eochaidh), son of Erc, son of Rinnal, of the Fir Bolg became High King of Ireland when he overthrew Fodbgen. He was the first king to establish a system of justice in Ireland. No rain fell during his rei ... after the mythical Battle of Moytura. References {{Reflist National Monuments in County Mayo Archaeological sites in County Mayo ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Beltra
Beltra () is a village in County Sligo, Ireland. Beltra is situated between the Ox Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. There is a public house named AJ's situated near Beltra woods and Beltra Post Office. Farming, haulage and construction are the main sources of employment in Beltra. Beltra has an annual agricultural show each September. History The village takes its name from the beach nearby along the western shore of Ballysadare bay. There are several old names for the strand, the most common being ''Trá Eóchaille'', Strand of the Yew Wood, or after Eochaille the wright. ''Trá Ruis Airgid'', Strand of Red Silver, perhaps because of the silver and lead mine at Abbeytown near Ballysadare. The mine contains the mineral pyrargyrite an ore also known as "dark red silver" or "ruby silver". Other names are ''Trá Mná Mairbe'' (Strand of the Dead Women) and ''Trá an Cháirn'' (Strand of the Cairn). In Irish mythology, the Firbolg King Eochaid mac Eirc met his death here after the ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

The Morrigan
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the most frequently used word in the English language; studies and analyses of texts have found it to account for seven percent of all printed English-language words. It is derived from gendered articles in Old English which combined in Middle English and now has a single form used with pronouns of any gender. The word can be used with both singular and plural nouns, and with a noun that starts with any letter. This is different from many other languages, which have different forms of the definite article for different genders or numbers. Pronunciation In most dialects, "the" is pronounced as (with the voiced dental fricative followed by a schwa) when followed by a consonant sound, and as (homophone of pronoun ''thee'') when followed by a v ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Magh Tuiredh
''Cath Maige Tuired'' (modern spelling: ''Cath Maighe Tuireadh''; ) is the name of two saga texts of the Mythological Cycle of Irish mythology. It refers to two separate battles in Connacht: the first in the territory of Conmhaícne Cúile Tuireadh near Cong, County Mayo, the second near Lough Arrow in County Sligo. The two texts tell of battles fought by the Tuatha Dé Danann, the first against the Fir Bolg, and the second against the Fomorians. Etymology The word ''cath'' is an Old Irish word meaning "battle, combat". ''Mag'' is an earlier spelling of ''maigh'', meaning "plain". Ellis suggests that ''tuired'' (''tuireadh'' in modern spelling) means "pillars" or "towers",Ellis, Peter Berresford, ''The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends'', 2002, pp 28 but the Royal Irish Academy's ''Dictionary of the Irish Language'' translates ''tuiredh'' as "a lament". Maigh Tuireadh is typically anglicised as Moytura or Moytirra. The First Battle of Mag Tuired The first text, sometime ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Rinnal
In Irish mythology, Rinnal (Rindal, Rionnal, Rinnan) son of Genann of the Fir Bolg became High King of Ireland when he overthrew Fiacha Cennfinnán. He is said to have been the first king in Ireland to use spearheads (cf. Old Irish ''rind, rinn'', (spear-)point). He ruled for five or six years (depending on the source) before being overthrown by his cousin Fodbgen, son of Sengann. Primary sources * ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' * Annals of the Four Masters * Geoffrey Keating Geoffrey Keating ( ga, Seathrún Céitinn; c. 1569 – c. 1644) was a 17th-century historian. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and is buried in Tubrid Graveyard in the parish of Ballylooby-Duhill. He became an Irish Catholic priest and a ...'s ''Foras Feasa ar Érinn'' Legendary High Kings of Ireland Fir Bolg {{Ireland-royal-stub ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]